BAR win Button
SAO PAULO (GMM - Oct.21) Jenson Button and BAR principal
David Richards will sit down for a face-to-face meeting in
the Interlagos paddock on Thursday.

A day earlier, the FIA's contract recognition board ruled
that the 24-year-old Englishman may not leave the team to
drive a BMW-Williams next season.

''I don't want to say too much at the moment,'' Richards
told a source in Sao Paulo Wednesday night, ''until I've
spoken at length with Jenson.''

Earlier, a statement expressed the Brackley-based team's
'delight' at retaining Button, who - it said - played a
'crucial role' in BAR's success both this season and last.

Sir Frank Williams, meanwhile, confirmed that he would not
fight the verdict, and other sources said Richards has told
him not to bother trying to buy Button's 2005 deal, no
matter how many zeros accompany a dollar figure.

''Naturally we are disappointed,'' Williams said on
Wednesday. ''(But) we took the view that Jenson was a driver
worth challenging for -- we have no regrets.''

F1 to vote for new qualifying
SAO PAULO (GMM - Oct.21) F1 principals will decide by Friday
whether to adopt a radical qualifying system for 2005.

A FIA spokesman told us on Wednesday night that a request
for a fax vote to impose a new 'aggregate' format went out
to the F1 Commission.

The proposed system would see a single-lap run on Saturday,
before another low-fuel session just hours prior to Sunday's
grand prix, with the grid based on the outcome of the
combined lap times.

It was approved by the World Council in Paris last week, but
must also get a majority nod by players including bosses,
Bernie Ecclestone, grand prix promoters, team sponsors and
F1 (engine and tire) manufacturers.

Brit GP summit in Brazil
SAO PAULO (GMM - Oct.21) Bernie Ecclestone's suggestion that
the British grand prix is now 'dead' was just another piece
of political maneuvering.

That is the claim of British Racing Drivers' Club CEO Alex
Hooton, who reckons a private letter to him from the F1
impresario 'leaves the door open' for continued talks.

''(Bernie's) language in the newspapers was a lot more
aggressive than it was to us,'' he explained. ''It is
reasonable to assume that Ecclestone's pronouncements (are)
indeed strategic.''

Hooton, though, admitted that the 'situation' regarding the
future of F1's most historic championship event is 'clearly
serious' when the commercial rights holder is so gloomy --
even in the media.

But all may not be lost. Ecclestone, 73, has called the F1
principals to a meeting in Sao Paulo to discuss the fate of
the English race, raising hopes that he is just applying
pressure for an 18th grand prix in 2005 with low
compensation.

Meanwhile, at Silverstone, the BRDC's board will also get
together, to hash out a strategy for dealing with
Ecclestone's latest offensive.

Four Ferraris at Monza
SAO PAULO (GMM - Oct.21) Michael Schumacher, Rubens
Barrichello, Luca Badoer and Andrea Bertolini will
simultaneously power four current F1 Ferraris around the
Monza circuit next week.

The 'World Final' event, to also feature support motor
races, signals a close to the Ferrari-Maserati 'Group's
racing season,' a statement on Wednesday outlined.

France to host grand prix
SAO PAULO (GMM - Oct.21) France will stage a round of the
world championship next season, according to a source.

Although the grand prix at Magny-Cours, along with
Silverstone and Imola, were listed as provisional on a draft
2005 calendar, organizers have apparently now agreed a
contract with F1 rights holder Bernie Ecclestone.

The French grand prix, shifted to an earlier race date next
year, also nearly lost the event prior to the 2004 season.

''The apex of the partnership has been reached,'' read a
statement issued by the sport wear brand, which added, ''the
time has come to (leave).''

Brunotti, whose logo featured on the side mirror of Jenson
Button's Honda-powered car in 2004, said it will choose
'brand roots' - such as snowboarding - over motor sport
exposure from next year.

Brunotti managing director Henk Bergsma signed the BAR deal
in 2001. He said the company had succeeded in boosting brand
familiarity and export figures through F1.

Pizzonia 'top of the list'
SAO PAULO (GMM - Oct.21) Antonio Pizzonia is 'top of the
list' to race for BMW-Williams next season, the young
Brazilian driver revealed.

Speaking prior to the contract recognition board's decision
that Jenson Button must stay at BAR in 2005, the 24-year-old
admitted that a four race stint in the FW26 car this season
rejuvenated his stock.

''I am waiting,'' he told a press conference in Brazilian
city Rio de Janeiro.

Pizzonia added: ''The only thing guaranteed next year is
that I will stay test driver -- we have to wait (for the
CRB's decision).''

Future F1 star
SAO PAULO (GMM - Oct.21) Remember his name, because one day
he might go wheel to wheel against Mark Webber and Jenson
Button.

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